Tokyo And Kyoto Leisure and Photography


Sgdevilzz

Senior Member
May 16, 2010
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Hi guys. I will be heading to Tokyo for 5 days and kyoto for a day before heading back to singapore. I'm going there more for leisure but would like to do more on photography as well. I will be staying at Le daiba for the 4 nights so i will not be backpacking. My first destination i want to go to is the shibuya district to capture some street shots. But i seriously have no idea how to go there unless by cab or subway. Any recommendations and tips?

Any other fantastic places i should head to? I love doing panoramics cityscapes, are there any high rise buildings in tokyo i can access and take pictures?

Thanks and cheers!,

Don
 

I've been to Kyoto but not Tokyo.

Taxi is very expensive and subway goes to most places.

I would suggest doing your subway homework here as most Japanese do not speak english.

The subway system is a headache even for my Japanese friend.
 

Hi guys. I will be heading to Tokyo for 5 days and kyoto for a day before heading back to singapore. I'm going there more for leisure but would like to do more on photography as well. I will be staying at Le daiba for the 4 nights so i will not be backpacking. My first destination i want to go to is the shibuya district to capture some street shots. But i seriously have no idea how to go there unless by cab or subway. Any recommendations and tips?

Any other fantastic places i should head to? I love doing panoramics cityscapes, are there any high rise buildings in tokyo i can access and take pictures?

Thanks and cheers!,

Don

Regarding travelling in Tokyo, i would suggest the subway to anywhere and everywhere. It isn't that daunting of a task since all the lines are colour-coded, even the train lines are relatively easy to understand. I have been there several times and have never set foot in a taxi while i was there. Subways even from the airports (both Narita and Haneda). Just google subways/metro in Tokyo and i think it would be very affordable (compared to taxis that is) if you purchase the unlimited subway/train passes.

You can spend the rest of your money on food and sightseeing instead of transportation.
 

Don't worry, the subway is not as complicated as it looks, enjoy your trip.

For me i love Kyoto more than Tokyo :p
 

you can go to shinjuku too
west exit direction,you can go to the Tokyo metropolitan towers
admission is free

1 day in kyoto is kinda short imho
there're many places in kyoto worth going
like kiyomizudera,kinkakuji,fushimi inari etc
 

If you already know which area you're going to visit, the useful things to use to plan your trip is "Google map" or "Hyperdia"... These 2 websites show you which train to take, when to take and how much it costs... In addition, it's best if you can write down the kanji character of the station's name (but do note that not all station names are in kanji character)

And in Kyoto, there's special priced bus/subway ticket for tourists. You can give the special priced tickets at the information counter at the Kyoto station.
 

I've been to Kyoto but not Tokyo.

Taxi is very expensive and subway goes to most places.

I would suggest doing your subway homework here as most Japanese do not speak english.

The subway system is a headache even for my Japanese friend.

I do know a little japanese but not strong, i guess bringing a translation book helps alot huh? Subways are usually crowded am i right?


Regarding travelling in Tokyo, i would suggest the subway to anywhere and everywhere. It isn't that daunting of a task since all the lines are colour-coded, even the train lines are relatively easy to understand. I have been there several times and have never set foot in a taxi while i was there. Subways even from the airports (both Narita and Haneda). Just google subways/metro in Tokyo and i think it would be very affordable (compared to taxis that is) if you purchase the unlimited subway/train passes.

You can spend the rest of your money on food and sightseeing instead of transportation.

Actually my family plans to take a cab from narita airport all the way to le daiba pacific hotel, is it considered expensive? I've seen the route and it appears it be very far apart. May i know the cost of the unlimited train pass? Sorry i've never been to japan before.
 


Thanks for the link! But i'm sort of looking for an open space area. Perhaps a hilltop or something that i can have a view of the city?

you can go to shinjuku too
west exit direction,you can go to the Tokyo metropolitan towers
admission is free

1 day in kyoto is kinda short imho
there're many places in kyoto worth going
like kiyomizudera,kinkakuji,fushimi inari etc

When you say "Tokyo metropolitan towers" do you meant the Tokyo metropolitan government building? Because i googled towers and it gave me government building hahah. Planned changed, Spending 2 days in kyoto now. Staying in a Ryokan, not sure where yet though. I'll research on those places! Thanks!


If you already know which area you're going to visit, the useful things to use to plan your trip is "Google map" or "Hyperdia"... These 2 websites show you which train to take, when to take and how much it costs... In addition, it's best if you can write down the kanji character of the station's name (but do note that not all station names are in kanji character)

And in Kyoto, there's special priced bus/subway ticket for tourists. You can give the special priced tickets at the information counter at the Kyoto station.

i actually do not know where to go! That is why i'm gathering information here. I plan to visit public parks, gardens, temples/shrines, night market? if that is what they call it and of course accessible skygardens or rooftops.
 

Thanks for the link! But i'm sort of looking for an open space area. Perhaps a hilltop or something that i can have a view of the city?



When you say "Tokyo metropolitan towers" do you meant the Tokyo metropolitan government building? Because i googled towers and it gave me government building hahah. Planned changed, Spending 2 days in kyoto now. Staying in a Ryokan, not sure where yet though. I'll research on those places! Thanks!




i actually do not know where to go! That is why i'm gathering information here. I plan to visit public parks, gardens, temples/shrines, night market? if that is what they call it and of course accessible skygardens or rooftops.

Tried these?
japan-guide.com - Japan Travel and Living Guide
Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel
 

Subway in Tokyo is actually very convenient, you can use hyperdia.com, it will tell you how to go, where to transfer and how much per trip...
From Le Daiba, you can just cross to Aquacity, where you can see the Rainbow bridge and Tokyo Bay skyline.. so called "panoramic cityscape"
or you can go to top of Mori Tower, where you can take the cityscape with Tokyo Tower in it... and of course the government building in shinjuku as stated above...
 


Thank you for the links! Now i have to carefully see which ones are good and convenient for me.

Subway in Tokyo is actually very convenient, you can use hyperdia.com, it will tell you how to go, where to transfer and how much per trip...
From Le Daiba, you can just cross to Aquacity, where you can see the Rainbow bridge and Tokyo Bay skyline.. so called "panoramic cityscape"
or you can go to top of Mori Tower, where you can take the cityscape with Tokyo Tower in it... and of course the government building in shinjuku as stated above...

Hyperdia.com is actually very useful! I'm particularly interested in the government building in shinjuku, if it's a G-building, why can the public enter the rooftop?
 

Thanks for the link! But i'm sort of looking for an open space area. Perhaps a hilltop or something that i can have a view of the city?



When you say "Tokyo metropolitan towers" do you meant the Tokyo metropolitan government building? Because i googled towers and it gave me government building hahah. Planned changed, Spending 2 days in kyoto now. Staying in a Ryokan, not sure where yet though. I'll research on those places! Thanks!

oh im sorry
yes i meant building
i keep remembering them as towers coz u can choose which tower to go up to
 

oh im sorry
yes i meant building
i keep remembering them as towers coz u can choose which tower to go up to

It is an open concept or it's one of those viewing decks with windows sealed?
 

I do know a little japanese but not strong, i guess bringing a translation book helps alot huh? Subways are usually crowded am i right?




Actually my family plans to take a cab from narita airport all the way to le daiba pacific hotel, is it considered expensive? I've seen the route and it appears it be very far apart. May i know the cost of the unlimited train pass? Sorry i've never been to japan before.

Bro, I heard the taxi fees from Narita to Tokyo will go in the range of >USD 300. If you're okay with them..hm. :| It's is also slower than taking the train.

Nice hotel there, odaiba is not so easily accessible as compared to the more central areas, you surely need to do some train exchanges. And yes hyperdia would be awesome for this!
 

Oh the metropolitan tower is nice and high, and FREE! But one downside is that the interior lights are very bright. Good for sight seeing but very difficult to take nightscape shots, as you will almost get reflections and all that. I went in 2010 and 2011 to Tokyo, 12 days and 14 days..so almost a month in tokyo between the two years LOL!
 

Bro, I heard the taxi fees from Narita to Tokyo will go in the range of >USD 300. If you're okay with them..hm. :| It's is also slower than taking the train.

Nice hotel there, odaiba is not so easily accessible as compared to the more central areas, you surely need to do some train exchanges. And yes hyperdia would be awesome for this!

ya true
from narita there're a few options to get to tokyo
narita express being 1 of them
definitely cheaper than getting a cab
 

The fares for the cabs are ridiculous! Any idea how much is the 7day pass? Not planning to go far from tokyo as it is expensive even if i take the subway. Odaiba to Osaka can easily cost $250!